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In a 2009 study, experts found that people dying of neurodegenerative diseases had high levels of BMAA compared with healthy people, according to the article.

High levels of BMAA have also been found in fruit bats in Guam.

A research assistant professor at the school said that the study benefits humans and the environment.

“Not only does this work provide important information on one probable route of human exposure to BMAA, it may lead to a lowering of the demand for shark fin soup and consumption of shark products, which will aid ocean conservation efforts,” said Neil Hammerschlag, a research assistant professor at the university's Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science.

Sharks are the most threatened marine species, according to the study. Once the fins are removed from the animal, it is tossed back into the water to die, according to Hammerschlag.

The study was conducted on seven species of shark, including blacknose, blacktp, bonnethead, bull, great hammerhead, lemon and nurse sharks.

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